Bill targets state for federal drought relief

Feb. 11, 2014

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Four West Coast senators have introduced a bill that would deliver $300 million in emergency funds for drought-relief projects and economic assistance programs that so far is drawing praise from both environmental regulators and farming interests.

“This drought has the potential to devastate Western states, especially California, and Congress and the president must take swift action,” Feinstein said Tuesday in a published statement. “This bill provides operational flexibility to increase water supplies and primes federal agencies to make the best use of any additional rain. With so little water available, we must focus on streamlining federal programs and provide what assistance we can to those farmers and communities being hit the hardest.”

California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird, a former assemblyman from Santa Cruz, hailed the bill as smart legislation that considers the interests of both environmentalists and growers.

“Senators Feinstein and Boxer are proposing common sense solutions to our drought crisis that don't pit Californians against each other,” Laird said. “We thank them for recognizing with this bill the unique challenges we face as Californians.”

Farming interests in the state reacted by saying the bill would increase the availability of water for farmers and other water users, as well as provide immediate drought relief for livestock ranchers.

“Senator Feinstein’s legislation addresses a drought that could reach historic proportions,” said California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger. “Drought hits farmers and ranchers first and hardest, so we support a bill that addresses the immediate needs of those facing critical water shortages.”

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With just a little over six weeks left in the rainy season, the drought could easily be worse than the historic dry conditions of 1976-77, and is already threatening California’s $44.7 billion agriculture sector. Safe drinking water is also in danger of running out in at least 10 communities across the state.

“Our bill will require all agencies to use their existing authority to help provide relief to communities hardest hit by this unprecedented drought and make investments to move and conserve water to help our entire state,” Feinstein said. “The goal of this bill is to bring us together to address this crisis, rather than divide us.”

The Monterey County Water Resources Agency is already working with a citizen committee to develop new water projects for the Salinas Valley. So far the lion’s share of the committee’s work is pointing toward adding storage, either above ground or by building systems to recharge groundwater.

“If we don’t add above-ground storage, we will lose the ability to replenish storage in our underground aquifers,” Wenger said. “Adding both above-ground and underground storage would bring more flexibility to a California water system stretched beyond its limits by population growth, environmental requirements, climate change and other forces.”

Feinstein emphasized the bill will not usurp existing state and federal environmental laws, a fact Laird said will go a long way in forging a partnership between state and federal officials.

“It’s clear that the senators respect our state laws and regulations, and this bill reinforces actions the state is taking with our federal partners,” Laird said.

Dennis L. Taylor writes about water issues for The Salinas Californian. Follow him on Twitter @taylor_salnews.